The basics never really change, though you may not want to grow multiflora in your garden for stock material in light of more recent issues concerning it. But, reading the actual words written by "The Dr. Huey", ninety-five years ago, should be interesting and fun. Kim

Clicking on the images will permit you to enlarge them for easier reading.

It isn't surprising Dr. Huey recommended multiflora. It would be nearly 25 years before "his rose" would accidentally found to be superior to the other common stocks in use for a very large segment of the market.

Manetti isn't as cold hardy and has a greater tendency to form "carrot root", a large, carrot shaped root with few to no side roots. It's nicely vigorous but can be an issue when the plants all fall over in the wind.

Which roses should be budded depends nearly as much upon their ability to root and support themselves on their own roots as it does where they are destined to grow. In shorter seasons with harsher extremes, own root is desirable because they'll come back from the roots, unless they're frozen too deeply or are too tender for the climate, but they may not have the vigor to push them faster than the conditions permit. Where it's warmer and more conducive for them to develop, many don't need that extra vigor budding can provide.

Looking at my cuttings this morning clearly showed the suitability issue. Moser Striped, what is considered to be Rainbow, the striped sport of Papa Gontier, is a bear to get to root, and extremely slow to develop. Gardens of the World has rooted vigorously right down the line as has Mary Rose, Bedont, Sweet Afton, Annie Laurie McDowell, Sweet Nothings, Morey's Pink, and several others. Maytime has refused, once again, to support itself own root. Mint Julep formed callus and remains green, but it refuses to put out the roots the others are filling the cups with.

I'd suspect that to produce Moser Striped, Maytime and Mint Julep as decent plants with any regularity, they're going to require budding.

I think you're probably right. The "named producers" are likely to go own root and multiflora. There will probably always be the "second and third string" producers continuing to bud on Huey for the southwestern markets.

Conard Pyle is going the own root route, but I suspect their Star-Meilland line will probably remain Dr. Huey budded in Wasco. It's worked for them for a long time. Who knows what will happen with J&P? I think you will probably see more own root from Week's, with budding on multiflora for those which don't own root well since they've moved their production to Ohio. It will be interesting to see if the J&P brand becomes the schlock name attached to Week's that Armstrong did for J&P. The same roses from the same fields were packaged under both names and sold for different prices to different markets. Sounds a lot like what used to be with Suave and Helene Curtis, identical products in different bottles for different prices, until the market reacted so negatively they changed the Suave to bolster the support for the HC brand and pricing. Kim